GTR Canada

Category: Immigration

  • New Federal Program to Assist Permanent Residency Immigration in Rural and Northern Canada

    New Federal Program to Assist Permanent Residency Immigration in Rural and Northern Canada

    On January 24, the Government of Canada announced the launch of its new immigration program. The program is called Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. It is a five-year plan and is similar to the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. The objective of the program is to provide various assistance to small rural communities to help foreign workers in settling as a Permanent Resident:

    The participating provinces and territories are:

    • Ontario
    • Manitoba
    • Saskatchewan
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
    • Yukon
    • Northwest Territories
    • Nunavut

    This program will be operating simultaneously with the Provincial Nominee Programs. Communities, willing to participate, have to submit an application to IRCC by March 1, 2019. They also have to fulfil all the eligibility requirements.

    The launch of this program is a major effort in promoting permanent residency among new immigrant in Canada!

  • Canada to reopen Parents and Grandparents Program in late January

    Canada to reopen Parents and Grandparents Program in late January

    The Government of Canada had announced the reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) last week. The program is scheduled to reopen from January 28, 2019.

     

    What is the Parents and Grandparents Program?

    The PGP allows the permanent residents and citizens of Canada, who are 18 years of age or above, to sponsor their parents/grandparents for Canadian Permanent Residence.

     

    How to Apply?

    Interested applicants should complete the Interest to Sponsor form. The form will be available from 12 PM (EST) on January 28. They should also check the eligibility requirements beforehand. One of the main eligibility criteria is the Minimum Necessary Income. Applicants will also have to submit a copy of the document with their status in Canada document.

    After submission, IRCC will notify all invited candidates. They will have a minimum of 60 days to submit their complete application and other required documents.

    Candidates will be selected for the invitation on a “first-come, first-serve” basis.

  • Canada PNP has started holding new draws for 2019

    Canada PNP has started holding new draws for 2019

    Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs or PNP had seen major developments last year. PNP allows the participating Canadian provinces and territories to nominate candidates from the Federal Express Entry pool. Nominated candidates receive an additional 600 points to their CRS score. It increases their probability of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Federal draw.

    n 2018, 34,700 candidates were nominated through PNP (an increase by 1300 from 2017). It is expected that there will be more nominations this year. However, IRCC has not released any numbers yet.

    Within the first week of 2019, a couple of draws has already been held in the provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

    • On January 2, BC issued the first invitations to candidates in Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Skills Immigration — Entry Level and Semi-Skilled. The lowest scores were 85 for Skilled Worker, 95 for International Graduate and 68 for Entry Level and Semi-Skilled. A total of 151 invitations were issued.
    • On January 3, Saskatchewan issued invitations to candidates in the Entrepreneur category. 90 invitations were issued in this draw. The scores range of the nominated candidates was 115 – 150.

  • Huge targets for Canada Permanent Residency

    Huge targets for Canada Permanent Residency

    Canada’s Minister of Immigration, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, announced the new immigration plans for Canada Permanent Residency for 2019-2021.

    The new three-year plan includes updated targets for 2019 and 2020 of 330,800 and 341,000 new permanent residents respectively. It also set a new target of 350,000 in 2021.

    Canada has always been welcoming to immigrants. Newcomers and immigration contribute a big part to the country’s economy.

    The Minister of Immigration tweeted yesterday –

    “Today, I was proud to table the new multi-year immigration plan, which sets ambitious targets to welcome newcomers to help contribute to our economy.”

    – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

    Pathways to Canadian Immigration                                                                                   

    Canada has many pathways for immigrants to apply for Permanent Residency.

    The current Canadian Immigration Programs include:

    • Skilled Worker – Qualification in this program depends on the candidate’s education, age, work experience and other factors.
    • Family Class Sponsorship – For candidates who can be sponsored for immigration by close relatives already living in Canada.
    • Canadian Experience Class – For skilled candidates with professional or technical work experience who wishes to settle permanently in Canada.
    • Investors and Entrepreneurs – For individuals who wish to own or invest in any business while residing permanently in Canada.
    • Provincial Nominee – Some provinces in Canada has PNP Programs where eligible candidates are nominated by the Province to apply for PR.

    Applicants need to meet specific eligibility criteria before they can apply. Our expert consultant can guide through the application process!

    Have you submitted your applications? Contact us today to know how to apply for Canadian PR.

  • Canada to introduce new Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot

    Canada to introduce new Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot

    The Canadian Government recognizes the difficulties faced by women of colour who are new immigrants to Canada. Visible minority newcomer women also face many employment challenges in Canada. Hence, the Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot is launched to address these challenges. The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the launch of this program onDecember 5, 2018.

    What is the Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot?

    The Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot is a three (3) year program. Its objective is to strengthen the professional and career progression for visible minority newcomer women. It aims at addressing discrimination based on race and gender. Through this program, the Government hopes to resolve many social problems for visible minority newcomer women including:

    • eliminate low-income employment,
    • availability of affordable childcare and
    • provision strong social supports.

    The ICCRC is providing funding of up to $7 million for new, innovative programs and services to support visible minority women in employment. Also, the ICCRC is launching the ‘Expression of Interest: Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot Initiative’ to look to fund new partners on schemes that especially address this issue.

    All these recent changes show Canada as a progressive nation on a global level. Canada offers an amplitude of opportunities that help you progress in your career and live a better life!

  • Canada Immigration focuses on Business Immigration

    Canada Immigration focuses on Business Immigration

    In the recent week, Canada Immigration has made a significant focus on Business Immigration.

    What is Business Immigration?

    This program is most suitable for entrepreneurs. This program is for those individuals, who are looking to make an investment in Canada or to start/acquire a business in Canada. Candidates are required to own a business and/or have managerial experience.

    In the last week, many new developments have been made in Business Immigration. They are:

    • In a draw held on November 23, Ontario issued 15 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to entrepreneur immigrants. The minimum score for the candidates in the OINP’s Entrepreneur Stream was 112.
    • In another draw held on November 21, Saskatchewan issued 84 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to entrepreneur immigrants. The minimum score for the candidates in the SINP’s Entrepreneur Stream was 115. The highest score was 135.
    • British Columbia PNP announced the launch of the Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot. Through this program, entrepreneurs can come to the smaller localities in BC, and grow a business there. The program is planned to launch next year in 2019.

    Under Business Immigration, there are several options available:

    • Federal Start-Up Visa Program.

    It is a part of Canada’s federal immigration program. Candidates must be an owner of a business, meet the language requirement and have adequate financial support before they can apply. 

    • PNP Business Immigration.

    Many provinces have Business Immigration Programs as a part of their Provincial Nominees Program. Each province has different conditions for eligibility.  

  • British Columbia opens new category for business immigration

    British Columbia opens new category for business immigration

    British Columbia PNP announced the launch of a new pilot program in its immigration system. The program intends to attract foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the growth of the province’s economy.

    The program is named Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot. The program is planned to launch next year in 2019.

    Through this program, entrepreneurs can come to the smaller localities in BC, and grow a business there. This initiative is taken to boost the economy of the small communities. Enrolled communities must be situated 30 kilometres or more from a population centre of more than 75,000 people.

    Candidates interested in applying must have the intention of settling in British Columbia. They also need to make an “exploratory visit” to BC and obtain a referral letter from the community where they wish to establish their business.

    Other criteria include:

    • Have a minimum business investment of $100,000 and individual net worth of $300,000,
    • Have 3+ years of experience as an acting business owner/manager etc.

  • Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers 2018

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers

    As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers to the country. A major component of Canada’s strategy is the refinement of immigration pathways like the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). The changes introduced in 2018 reflect Canada’s efforts to streamline immigration, align it with economic needs, and provide opportunities for qualified candidates to become permanent residents.

    In this article, we will explore some of the key reforms in Canada’s immigration system, including changes to Express Entry-linked PNPs in provinces like Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic Provinces. We will also look at how these updates help support Canada’s mission to fill labor shortages and strengthen its economy.

    1. The Express Entry System: A Gateway to Canada

    Canada’s Express Entry system remains at the forefront of its economic immigration framework. Launched in 2015, this system facilitates the management of immigration applications through three federal programs:

    • Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
    • Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

    Express Entry operates through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points to candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

    A significant update to Express Entry in recent years has been its closer integration with Canada’s PNPs, which now offer an additional 600 CRS points to candidates who secure a provincial nomination. This increase nearly guarantees an ITA, making provincial nomination a coveted advantage in the immigration process.

    2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Driving Immigration in Provinces

    Provincial Nominee Programs allow Canadian provinces and territories to select individuals who meet local labor market demands and have a high likelihood of contributing to the economy. PNPs have gained importance because of their alignment with Express Entry, making it easier for provinces to fill their economic gaps by attracting highly skilled immigrants.

    Throughout the third quarter of 2018, several provinces introduced reforms and held major draws aimed at attracting skilled workers. Below are highlights from some key provinces:

    3. Ontario: A Leader in Immigration Through Human Capital Priorities

    Ontario has consistently been one of the most attractive destinations for immigrants, given its strong economy and job opportunities. In August 2018, Ontario conducted the largest draw of the third quarter through its Human Capital Priorities Stream, which is linked to Express Entry.

    On August 9, 2018, Ontario issued 947 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry candidates. This draw was specifically targeted at individuals with a valid job offer in Ontario. The CRS scores of invited candidates ranged from 350 to 439, showcasing Ontario’s willingness to attract mid-range skilled workers who can meet the province’s labor demands.

    This strategic draw demonstrated Ontario’s focus on balancing the needs of employers with immigration targets. By inviting individuals with job offers, Ontario continues to ensure that the newcomers are well-positioned to succeed economically upon arrival.

    4. Saskatchewan: A New System with Express of Interest (EOI)

    Saskatchewan, another province heavily reliant on immigration to sustain its economic growth, introduced significant reforms in 2018. In July 2018, the province replaced the old intake system for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) with the new Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

    EOI serves as a pre-application process, where candidates express their interest in applying for SINP by submitting a profile. This profile is scored out of 100 based on criteria such as work experience, education, language proficiency in English or French, and connection to Saskatchewan. Candidates need to score a minimum of 60 points to be eligible, after which they are ranked, and those with higher scores are invited to apply for provincial nomination.

    In the third quarter of 2018, Saskatchewan held two draws under the new EOI system:

    • September 19, 2018: Saskatchewan invited candidates based on specific skills needed in the province.
    • September 27, 2018: Another draw focused on high-demand occupations with candidates possessing work experience in selected fields.

    The EOI system allows Saskatchewan to be more selective and strategic in inviting candidates, ensuring that immigrants meet local labor demands and are more likely to integrate successfully into the workforce.

    5. Atlantic Provinces: Targeted Immigration Through Labour Market Priorities

    Canada’s Atlantic Provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island—continue to focus on attracting skilled workers to counter population decline and labor shortages. As part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), provinces have adopted a collaborative approach with employers to fill workforce gaps.

    Nova Scotia made headlines in the third quarter by launching its Labour Market Priorities Stream on August 8, 2018. This stream targets specific occupations based on Nova Scotia’s labor needs. It selects candidates directly from the Express Entry pool, allowing the province to bypass CRS scores and focus on individuals whose skills are in demand.

    Similarly, Prince Edward Island (PEI) invited candidates to apply for provincial nomination on three occasions during the third quarter. PEI’s Express Entry Stream focuses on selecting candidates with the skills and experience to support the province’s economy, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.

    These reforms in Atlantic Canada demonstrate a focused effort to attract newcomers who can contribute to provincial economies and sustain population growth.

    6. The Role of CRS Points and ITAs in Immigration Success

    The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) plays a critical role in Canada’s immigration process, determining which candidates in the Express Entry pool receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. A CRS score is calculated based on a combination of factors such as:

    • Age: Younger candidates generally score higher.
    • Education: Higher levels of education attract more points.
    • Language Proficiency: Strong English or French skills are highly valued.
    • Work Experience: Skilled work experience inside or outside Canada can boost scores.

    One of the major advantages of Canada’s immigration reforms is the opportunity for candidates to boost their CRS scores by securing a Provincial Nomination. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, virtually guaranteeing that they will receive an ITA.

    For example, candidates with CRS scores ranging between 350 and 439 in Ontario’s August draw would not have been invited through the federal Express Entry program alone. However, with a provincial nomination, they would see their scores jump to over 900 points, leading to an ITA in the subsequent federal draw.

    This highlights the effectiveness of Canada’s PNPs in making immigration accessible to skilled individuals who might not meet the CRS cut-off under the regular Express Entry draws.

    7. The Future of Canadian Immigration: Welcoming More Newcomers

    As Canada’s immigration system continues to evolve, it remains clear that provinces are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping immigration policies. By linking PNPs to Express Entry and introducing reforms such as EOI, Canada is ensuring that its immigration system is responsive to economic needs while providing more pathways for skilled workers to enter the country.

    In the coming years, Canada is expected to welcome over 1 million immigrants through various programs. The combination of federal and provincial efforts is designed to meet labor demands, support economic growth, and ensure that Canada remains an attractive destination for skilled immigrants from around the world.

     

    2024-08-12 Visitor Visa for India client

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome…


    2024-08-28 Work Permit & Visitors for child – Passport request letters for Vietnamese clients

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome…


    2024-06-06 Work Permit Approval Indian Client

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome…


    2024-06-06 Work Permit Approval Indian Client

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome…


    2024-06-04 Study Permit Extension Approval

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome…


    2024-06-06 Study Permit Approval

    Canada keeps reforming its immigration systems to welcome more newcomers As the third quarter of 2018 comes to a close, Canada remains committed to improving its immigration systems to welcome…



    Read More

  • British Columbia conducts the biggest draw of 2018

    British Columbia conducts the biggest draw

    British Columbia held its latest round of draw on October 17, 2018. British Columbia PNP invited a total of 472 candidates to apply for BC Provincial Nomination.

    This draw had the maximum number of invitations issued this year. The candidates from the category BC Express Entry and Skills Immigration were selected in this draw.

    BC Express Entry

    The province’s Express Entry is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. The Express Entry system has three main categories:

    Federal Skilled Worker Class.
    Federal Skilled Trades Class.
    Canadian Experience Class.

    Candidates who receive an invite for provincial nomination receive 600 points in their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This increases their chance of getting Canadian PR. The Express Entry processes these applications. It takes 6 months for their PR applications to process.
    Skills Immigration
    In this draw, the candidates from the stream’s Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled categories received an invite.

    To apply for Permanent Residency, one must sign up in the BC PNP online portal here. Then they have to submit their profile and registration form. Many factors like education, work experience etc. are used to rank these applications.

  • Atlantic Provinces in Canada are looking for new skilled immigrants

    Atlantic Provinces in Canada are looking for new skilled immigrants

    The Atlantic Provinces of Canada include the provinces on the Atlantic coast of Canada: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

    These provinces are growing economically. The provinces are going through big amounts of commercial and industrial growth. This means that the job market in these provinces is increasing as well. More job opportunities are becoming available to job seekers.

    The provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have even increased their quota for the number of applications they will accept in 2018 because of the popularity of this program.

    So, what is Atlantic Immigration Pilot?

    It is an immigration program which is managed by the Federal Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces of:

    New Brunswick
    Newfoundland and Labrador
    Nova Scotia
    Prince Edward Island

    This program is designed to help employer hire foreign skilled workers and utilize their experience and knowledge. The worker must meet the requirements of the employer. Then, if the worker receives a job offer, he/she will get Permanent Resident status in Canada.

    However, this program does not match candidates to employers. One cannot get hired through this program. Candidates must get a job offer by themselves.